Berthoud police transition plan being drawn up

Current officers will have 'modified hiring process' to be considered by the county

By Alex Burness Reporter-Herald Staff Writer

Posted:
02/17/2014 10:56:33 AM MST

In less than three months, Berthoud Police will be no more, as the town's board of trustees voted last week to suspend the struggling department and contract law enforcement services from the Larimer County Sheriff's Office. But when the transition becomes official on May 1, it'll happen with a whole new batch of officers.

Berthoud currently employs six officers, and that same number will continue to serve the town once the county takes over. Because of county rules, however, the current officers won't be eligible to work in Berthoud as police officers, as the sheriff's office will classify the town as a "special assignment" location. County officers on special assignment are required to undergo about six months of training, as well as a year of mandatory probation.

So until January 2016, when current Berthoud officers would theoretically be able to resume working there, the county will deploy a supervising sergeant, four deputies and a school resource officer. They'll also have a chief, and dispatch services will be provided by the county.

The officers serving the town now aren't necessarily out of a job come May 1. The county has opened a "modified hiring process" for them, meaning they may pursue employment with the county, without having to take a written test or pass a physical.

"They are all welcome to apply within the sheriff's office if they want.

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We're not going to just absorb them, but there is a hiring process that only they are eligible for now," said Feyen, who has served as Berthoud's interim police chief since former chief Glenn Johnson was placed on leave after possibly ignoring a September incident involving alleged child abuse from a town police officer. Feyen was offered the full-time job in Berthoud but has declined. In the new few weeks, town officials are expected to draw up a contract between Berthoud and the county. The current plan is to contract services for only 19 hours per day, meaning slower response times between 2 and 7 a.m.

"Their call volume from those hours, on average, is less than 1 call per night," Feyen said. "That's not an effective use of your money."